Who Cares About the Constitution?
By listening to the current political debates in this country, one would believe that America has turned into a forest of wolves. Should we have a public healthcare option, should we send more troops to Afghanistan, should we curb executive compensation, etc. These questions, unfortunately, seem to hinge on the idea that America is a democracy. The democratic form of government is a complex creature. It is regarded today as the American form of government, which the rest of the world should strive to emulate. However, this form of government touted as civilization’s greatest accomplishment by our leaders today was despised by those who founded our country.
True liberty activists describe democracy as the worst form of government imaginable for one major reason: the majority always gets their way. The American system of governance was formed to keep government under control. Congress was given the power to vote on specific issues, and the rest were left up to the states or the people to decide. Article 1 Section 8 of the US Constitution lists 18 powers on which Congress has the authority to legislate. There are only 18 powers because the founders did not want a government that could vote on anything they wished. However, due to deceptive propaganda, most Americans believe our government to be ruled by majority vote, and that Congress has the authority to vote on anything the majority finds necessary.
Ft. Hood Shooter’s Beliefs Deemed ‘Outlandish’
The killings at Fort Hood have received an understood amount of media attention, but one thing that Shepard Smith of Fox News stated yesterday bugged me until I had to sit down and articulate it. In opening an interview with a retired coworker of Major Hassan, Smith stated that Hassan had made “outlandish” comments about America’s foreign policy. As the interview continued, the coworker explained that Hassan had expressed that the United States should not be “over there”–should not be engaged in military action in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that the native people should rise up against the aggressors.
I’m in no way advocating the actions of the Major at Fort Hood, but I want a moment to examine what his peers knew of his beliefs, and the way that Fox’s Shepard Smith framed the news segment. Is it outlandish to believe that we should not be involved in pointless wars overseas? They cost American lives, and stretch the printing press of the Fed to new levels, destroying our money even further, and for what? To protect us from a people that don’t have navies, air forces, or a unified standing army? How does having a large occupying force in several nations in the Middle East protect us from a random act of terrorism that would be perpetrated thousands of miles away, here at home? As for the “aggressors” comment, let’s propose a hypothetical. If the Chinese had a standing army on our soil, with the goal of making us change our way of life, would it be “outlandish” for us to resist and attempt to overthrow our aggressors? We overthrew the British empire, after all. Is this not an American ideal?
Hassan was said to have felt promise upon the election of President Obama, that our overseas occupations would end, but was extremely disappointed when he did not deliver. I think that’s a very common feeling among those that drank the President’s anti-war campaign Kool-Aid but were left thirsty and wanting. He has escalated these wars, and shows no sign of changing our foreign policy to something more sensible.
We must see past the propaganda machine of the mainstream media and note that these particular beliefs and frustrations perhaps weren’t so “outlandish” after all.
House ‘Guts’ H.R. 1207, Bill to Audit the Fed
Rep. Mel Watt, of North Carolina stripped H.R. 1207 of its most important provisions.
In a not-too-surprising move, House leaders have stripped House Bill 1207, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act, of all its most meaningful legislation. Rep. Mel Watt, of North Carolina was tasked with “preparing the legislation for formal consideration.” In his new, stripped version of the bill, there is no longer an audit of the Federal Reserve’s dealings with foreign central banks, no audit of their deliberations about monetary policy decisions, and no audit of Federal Open Market Committee and its communications with members, banks, and staff.
Congressman Ron Paul said that when the bill comes to the floor, he will introduce an amendment that would attempt to restore the bill to its former, unaltered state. As my congressman, Travis Childers, sits on the Financial Services Committee, I will be giving his office a call to let him know how disastrous this is to any attempt at transparency and truth with regard to the Federal Reserve, and urge him to support the original language and intent of H.R. 1207.
UPDATE: Congressman Paul Responds to these breaking events:
Rave Against the Machine Postponed
Our group was forced to postpone Rave Against the Machine. Due to all the rain and electrical difficulties, we would have had to call off all the bands. We want to make this Rave the best it possibly can be. Therefore, we will soon begin plans on a rescheduled date. Please check back soon as the date will be announced as soon as we find out. Thanks for all of those that helped out in organizing this event.
A New Definition of Peace
As I understand it, if the Onion hasn’t played their greatest prank to date, Barack Obama recently won a Nobel Peace Prize. The award has shocked a great many people. Of course Republicans were outraged by the event, perhaps envious that their previous warmongering president wasn’t able to garner such a prestigious honor. However, I am positive that those most astonished by the Nobel Foundation’s selection are the true war dissenters here in America. To be frank, if this development didn’t shock a majority of people, then we as a nation are in a very depressing state of affairs.
I have no doubt that America’s image has gotten better since Obama entered office. Anybody with a shred of integrity and intelligence would have been an improvement over George W. Bush. Of course, to be fair, Obama has made some positive steps. He has been far more willing to negotiate with countries such as Iran, even though his recent threats towards them concerning nuclear plant construction indicates a hint of Bush era diplomacy rearing its ugly head. He gave a speech in Cairo asking Israel to cease building new settlements in Palestinian territory. He also has signed an Executive order to close down the Guantanamo Bay prison camp. However, Obama shows no sign of cutting off Israeli aid if they totally ignore his demands to cease settlement expansion, and reports have recently come out that are making it appear Guantanamo will not be closed as he had promised.
Great speaker this Friday! Come out and hear!
The Ole Miss Young Americans for Liberty are thrilled to host Dr James Lark speaking on campus this Friday, October 16. Come on out to Bishop 209 at 5:30 PM to hear some stimulating and thought-provoking ideas.
Dr Lark serves as adjunct professor in the Department of Systems and Information Engineering and visiting lecturer in the Department of Applies Mathematics at the University of Virginia. He is also a director of the Financial Engineering Research Group at UVA. Dr Lark has been a foot soldier in the battle for individual liberty, limited government, and constitutionalism since his college years, having been active in the Libertarian Party, Advocates for Self-Government, International Society for Individual Liberty, and the Institute for Health Freedom.
Dr Lark’s speech is entitled “Warning: Governmentally-Mandated Safety Measures May Be Hazardous to Your Health.” He will argue that while well-intentioned, government safety measures generally fail to protect consumers and actually increase danger.
Come out this Friday and spend an evening with a great free-market speaker.
Event Announcement
Who: Young Americans for Liberty and the Libertarian Party of Mississippi
What: An Evening with Dr. James Lark III
When: Friday, October 16th at 5:30 PM
Where: University of Mississippi campus in Bishop Hall Room 209
Description:
“Warning: Governmentally mandated safety measures may be hazardous to your health.” Professor James Lark, former chair of the National Libertarian Party is speaking on the dangers of government involvement in our lives. Email OleMissYAL@gmail.com for more information!
Find out why government safety regulations are not what they appear to be. “For the urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.”
GO HERE TO RSVP
Hypocrite wins Nobel Peace Prize
With no actual change in foreign policy, President Obama has managed to do something his predecessor could not–dupe the world into awarding him a Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Nobel Committee makes the case that Obama has created a “new climate in international politics.” As The Who told us in “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” it’s time we met the new boss–he’s the same as the old boss.
Our foreign policy consists of giving money to nations that do what our Executive Branch wants, and threatening those that do not with violence or sanctions. President Obama, like President Bush, believes in the doctrine of preemptive war, an idea that has been seen as immoral by philosophers throughout history. Under this mantra, nations must be punished for what they might do, rather than ills they have actually committed.
Real effort to promote peace can be achieved through sensible foreign policy. Open, honest dialogue with all nations, entangling alliances with none, and enough restraint to use force only in defense must pave the road to peace if it is to be achieved by an American leader. Proponents of this President’s foreign policy will make the case that we must strike preemptively to promote democracy and freedom abroad. The ideals of freedom cannot be spread through force; they must be spread through good example.
Peace can also be achieved through honest economic policy. A commitment to sound money and free trade would make ours and other nations prosperous. President Obama promotes neither. By ignoring the reality of a nearly bankrupt government, and encouraging the printing of more and more fiat money, the President makes us all poorer, and causes economic turmoil across the planet, which leads to more conflict. By rubbing the fattened underbelly of the central bank in thoughtful appreciation, President Obama dooms us to a worthless dollar.
If we are to promote peace and prosperity, charlatans like President Obama must be recognized as warmongers and destroyers of value. Until then, buckle in for the bumpy ride.
Democrats are Not Immune from Ignorance
Over the last few years I have become very acquainted with politics. I formed my views during the Bush presidency, and they have remained rather stable since then. I disagreed with just about everything George Bush did as president. I disagreed with his economic policies, his foreign policies, and his huge power grab for the executive. However, upon voicing my opinions I was referred to by republicans as un-American and unpatriotic. I felt this sort of ignorant name-calling was unique to the neoconservative side of the American political system. However, recent events have proven me wrong. Read the rest of this entry »
Are You A Racist? Take the Test…
Many of you saw the letter to the editor in the Daily Mississippian early this week. It was in response to Justin Head’s article about Obama’s pro-war foriegn policy. In short, the article called Justin a racist for criticizing Obama. At first I could not figure out how this guy could come to the conclusion that Justin was a racist…then I saw this. It all makes sense now.
Bernanke: Being Wrong… As He Always Is
This begs the question: Why are people still listening to this moron?
Obama: Still Beating his War Drum
It hasn’t taken long for Obama to show his true colors on foreign policy. It seemed as if many votes were cast in his favor on the belief that he was some sort of “peace” candidate. I never was fooled by his rhetoric, because I knew his voting history and read his older speeches. Obama was a warmonger, through and through. It is sad that the American people had to choose between two men who were so horribly misinformed on foreign issues, but that was the options we were given. However, Obama has left little doubt as to his violent intentions with his new chest-thumping rants towards Iran. Read the rest of this entry »
The Libertarian Revolution
Watch this great interview between Andrew Napolitano and Reason’s Nick Gillespie on the future of the libertarian movement. They demonstrate that both parties have incrased the size and scope of government power, even Reagan and St Lincoln. Only libertarianism protects individual rights and promotes social-cultural-economic progress. As the great libertarian writers of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries understood, a free society enjoys liberty, prosperity, peace, and civilization. Big Government tyranny leads to slavery, stagnation, war, and barbarism. May God save us from bipartisan tyrants.
See the video here.
Peter Schiff is Officially Running for Senate!
So it is official: Peter Schiff is running for US Senate. We don’t get too many minds like Schiff with a good chance at winning a Senate seat very often. I encourage everybody to throw their support his way. Good luck Peter!
Terror by Another Name
Coming off the heels of the 8-year anniversary of 9/11, now insidiously dubbed “Patriots Day,” I think it important for Americans to seriously question our outlook on terrorism. Indeed, September 11, 2001 was a tragic day for our nation’s history. However, I believe we as a nation should look to the acts committed on 9/11 as a way to connect with the rest of the world, which seems to bare the brunt of all atrocious acts we hear about on a daily basis.
I would first like to point out that I believe it takes a skeptical mind to tackle the true definition of terrorism. Relatively speaking, one person could view a violent act as terrorism while another could view it as honorable. So it is important to understand the motive behind any violent act if we have any hope of entering a peaceful world.
Give the Funny Money its Due
Inspired by a poster on LewRockwell.com, I’m now putting Federal Reserve Notes to good use. If that’s not a viral strategy, I don’t know what is! Legal tender laws are hazardous to a free society, because they force people to accept fiat money in lieu of something that actually holds value. I recently picked up the book, Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?, by Richard J. Maybury. This book is written from the perspective of an uncle, an Austrian economist, to a nephew that had questions about inflation. An excellent read, it breaks down all of the Keynesian fallacies and takes us back to basics–what money really is, and why fiat money is counterfeit. I highly recommend Penny Candy to anyone that wants to get a basic education from the ground up on how money and economics really work.
Get Your Copy of End the Fed by Ron Paul
Amazon is now selling Ron Paul’s brand new book, End the Fed. We encourage everybody to pick up a copy for themselves. How amazing would it be, during hard economic times and in the middle of an intense debate to give the Federal Reserve its very first full-scale audit, a book entitled End the Fed would surge to the top of the New York Times bestseller list.
On top of sending a message to the world that the American people will no longer tolerate being robbed of their savings by rich bankers, you will get to read what promises to be a very informative and well written book. Let’s send a message!
Too Big to Fail and Growing
We all remember the scary dooms-day rhetoric flowing from the mouths of the MSM commentators when the credit crisis finally reared its ugly head. The banks in trouble were too big to fail, and without government aid our economy would turn to dust, take the rest of the world with it, and usher in the return of Christ.
Now, according to a Washingtonpost.com article, the banks bailed out have gotten even bigger. Due to all the government aided mergers, JP Morgan Chase, Banks of America, Wells Fargo, and Citigroup are now issuing one of every two mortgages, and two of every three credit cards.
Regulators are somehow alarmed that these institution are actually growing larger and more interconnected than ever. Even more alarming, thanks to near-government granted monopoly, these large institutions have actually raised their rates while smaller institutions in America have been lowering theirs:
In the last quarter, the top four banks raised fees related to deposits by an average of 8 percent, according to research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Striving to stay competitive, smaller banks lowered their fees by an average of 12 percent.
So while over 70 smaller banks have been allowed to go bankrupt, and even more projected, the government is still playing favorites with the Wall Street giants. Its hard to tell somebody no when they are stuffing your pockets with campaign contributions.
